Professor Suzanne Kanatsiz
626-8672, Rm. 165, KVAC, Department of Visual Arts
skanatsiz@weber.edu

These definitions are specifically written for a three-dimensional design interpretation.

Abstract: Representation transformed to emphasize alternative content.

Balance: An equal distribution or stable state characterized by equal opposing forces.

Boundary: The edge of a form as it stands in relation to form and space.

Center: A point around which something revolves; an axis. A place of concentrated activity.

Color: Energy waves that exist in white light that are either refracted or reflected.

Composition: Designing elements into a successful whole.

Content: The meaning or significance of an artistic work as distinguished from its subject matter.

Context: The circumstances, situation, experience in which something occurs.

Continuity: An uninterrupted succession, unbroken course..

Contour: The continuous edge of a mass, plane or surface.

Contrast: Juxtaposition of dissimilar areas.

Craft: Proficiency, expertness, skill and ability in working in materials.

Critique: A critical analysis or review of a work of art.

Decorative: To embellish or adorn; ornamental.

Density: The degree to which anything is filled or occupied.

Design: To form a plan for, to intend, to have a goal or purpose. To invent, create.

Dialogue: Exchange between elements within a work of art, or a viewer and a work of art.

Dynamic: Characterized by continuous change, energized.

Economy: Stripping away non-essentials to reveal the essence of a visual idea; simplification; distillation.

Edge: A point of transition between form to form or form to space.

Emphasis: Visually stressing or making an area dominate while others subordinate.

Ergonomics: Applied science of equipment design intended to maximize productivity by reducing operator fatigue and discomfort.

Form: Material carving space. Designed/manipulated material that has height, width, depth.

Formal: Information received on a visual level, as distinct from issues of content or meaning.

Fragment: A part detached from the whole. Something incomplete.

Gesture: Expressive movement through form.

Gravity: The effect of magnetic fields registering on inert mass.

Harmony: The effect of various parts supporting, augmenting or complimenting each other.

Hierarchy: Elements arranged according to rank, authority or capacity.

Hue: Pure color, one without tint or shade.

Icon: An image, representation, or symbol. A representation or picture of a sacred Christian personage, itself regarded as sacred.

Integration: Successful unification of elements in transition. This includes between elements, forms, space and time.

Interval: A pause, or space between two forms. A gap in time and space.

Join: Putting together, uniting or making continuous.

Light: White, electromagnetic waves of a certain length emitted from the sun or an artificial source.

Line: Length is considerably greater than width.

Mass: The effect of gravity registered on a body of matter with no specific shape.

Module: A sub-unit that makes up a whole through repetition of similar or identical units.

Metaphor: Implied comparison. One thing is substituted for another with identical meaning.

Motion: Expressive movement or actual change in a work of art.

Non-objective: Works that have no relationship to, nor reference objects and space/time of the recognizable 3-D world.

Organic: Related to nature and its processes. Associated with living organisms.

Parameters: Fixed limits or boundaries. The context in which one sees a work of art.

Pattern: Elements designed to repeat within a design parameter.

Plane: Any flat or level surface with minimal depth.

Proportion: Relative size relationships among components.

Plasticity: Degree of malleability of a material.

Positive/Negative: Positive is mass/negative is space. The combination of mass and space in 3-D.
In time-based works, image/form is postive, interva//timel is negative.

Ratio: Relation in degree between two similar things.

Repetition: Use of similar or identical design elements repeated again and again.

Representational: Visual art which intentionally replicates our recognizable, 3-D experience.

Resolution: Having a sense of sharpness, focus or acuity in a work of art.

Rhythm: Movement created by the effect of repetitious design elements. Can be regulated, chaotic or erratic or any combination thereof.

Ratio: Relation in degree between two similar things.

Saturation: Meaure of the relative purity or brightness of a color.

Scale: Relative size.

Space: The intuitive, 3-D field of experience characterized by dimensions extending indefinitely in all directions.

Static: Stability of form that is firmly gravity-bound and appears stationary, nonmoving.

Structure: The foundational position o